Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-29
oH1ruARY.
Hon Franklin Treat.

We copy from the Providence Journal the
following
Hon. Franklin Treat, Senator from War
wick, died at his home in Centerville at i
o'clock yesterday morning of Brighfs dis
ease. He was taken i'll on the eth inst and
his sickness developed into a complication of
disorders. Bright's disease being the prime
cause of his death. Franklin Treat was born
in Frankfort, Waldo county, Me-, june 2,
1882 He received his education in the pub
lie schools, and early evincing an aptitude
for business, he began that of shipbuilding
when 20 years of age and was extensively
engaged in this branch of trade, amassing
handsome fortune by his sagacious energy.
But as has 50 often occurred in the vicissi-
tudes of the last quarter century's business
interests, it became advisable for Mr.. Treat
to close his plant at Frankfort, and after so
doing he came in January, 1875, to Center
ville- and began business as a merchant in
the dry goods and grocery trade, in which he
was continuously successful. While a resi-
dent of his native State he took active inter
est IN town and State politics, and was an in
fiuential member of the Democratic party,
representing the towns of Frankfort and
Winterport in the Maine LEGISLATURE in the
years 1865 and 1872, and filing important
offices on various Legislative committees.
As was natural outcome of political life,
on his removal to Rhode Island he took an
active interest in matters pertaining to pub
lie affairs, and he was welcomed by the
Democratic party as an able ally, and was
adopted as a probable favorite candidate,
which he proved himself to be- He wys elect
etias Senator in the several State Legislatures
in 1878, 1880, 1881 and 1856 and at the time
of his death besides other Offices Was Chairman
of the finance committee of the Senate. Mr..
Treat, although lifelong Democrat, was an
earnest supporter of Abraham Lincoln, and
cast his vote for him. The deceased might
truly be called the leader in his party politics
in his town. Heawas nominated as a candi-
date for Congressional honors in the Western
district in 1883, and although his competitor
was one who could not well have been defeat
ed by any opponent, Mr.. Treat received the
biggest vote (603l) that was ever given a
Democratic candidate in that district except
that of Judge Bradley in his last contest.
Mr. Treat leaves his wife, who is Elizabeth,
the only child of Hon. Enos Lapham, and
one child, Robert b. Treat, who is 20 years
of age. As citizen, neighbor and friend
Mr. Treat was all that makes those ties salts
factory and endearing. He was a liberal
supporter of all local public needs, and he
possessed a tenderness of heart which many
in trouble can personally testify to. His
home at Centreville has been charming by
reason of the open and refined hospitality
which has characterized it, and now by the
death of the husband and father an incon-
solable loss has fallen upon its inmates.
Mr. Treat was the son of Col. Robert
Treat, and was descended in the sixth gener
alton from the Col. Robert Treat, who was
for fourteen years Lieut.. Governor and Gov
ernor of Connecticut.
The funeral took place at his late residence
in Centrevlle Friday, at l o'clock p NJ,
Rev. George W. King being the officiating
clergyman. There was very large attend
ance, including many prominent men from
different parts of the State, and among them
Gov. Davis and Judge Bradley.
Mr.. Treat was brother of Mrs. Judge
Whitehouse of this city.